14.2.1 W-2 Placements for Two-Parent Households at Application

Only one parent in aW-2 Two-Parent Household can be placed in a W-2 position at any one time. The FEP must determine which parent is “most employable” and place that parent in the appropriate W-2 placement.

The “most employable” parent is defined as the parent who is best able to most quickly increase the family’s income by getting and keeping employment. See the table below for example scenarios.

Note: The other parent is not required to participate in W-2 activities unless the family receives Wisconsin Shares. (See 14.3)

The FEP determines which parent to place in close consultation with both parents by carefully assessing all of the following:

· The wages each parent is able to earn based on their skills, abilities, and the jobs available in the workforce;

· Total family strengths and barriers, including the need for child care and other supportive services; and

· The amount of income a parent who is unable to work due to a disability is expected to receive from SSI, SSDI or other disability benefits.

The FEP assesses these factors by meeting with each parent and by completing an informal assessment with each parent.

The FEP must complete the WWP Informal Assessment with each parent at application and at other times as required by the informal assessment policy. (See 5.2)

The WWP Informal Assessment must be completed with each parent separately unless both parents request the WWP Informal Assessment be completed with the other parent present.

An applicant or participant must never be asked to complete the Domestic Abuse Screen while their partner is present.

EXAMPLE 1:Kaleigh and Cole apply for W-2 and meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. Both parents are unemployed. In the past, Kaleigh has worked as a server and Cole has worked as a manufacturing technician. Although Cole has better long-term earning potential, there are no job openings in the area that match his skills. Kaleigh has multiple jobs available, but they are only part-time. Both have barriers to employment, but Kaleigh’s barriers are easier to address. The FEP determines Kaleigh is the most employable as she is able to get a job more quickly than Cole. The couple agrees that their best plan is to focus on getting Kaleigh a job as quickly as possible. The FEP places Kaleigh in a CSJCommunity Service Job and encourages Cole to volunteer for activities and services.

EXAMPLE 2: Kimberly and Jason apply for W-2 and meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. Both parents are unemployed and have significant barriers. Jason has a stronger work history than Kimberly but did not do well in his mock interviews conducted by the W-2 agency. The FEP determines with the parents that Kimberly is most employable because she is best able to prepare for employment. The FEP places Kimberly in a CSJ and encourages Jason to volunteer for activities and services.

EXAMPLE 3: Gerri and Jeff apply for W-2 and meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. Jeff has a significant disability that prevents him from working and wants to apply for SSI. Gerri has previous work experience, but currently struggles with alcohol abuse and other barriers to employment. Gerri will need some time to prepare for employment. The FEP determines with the parents that Jeff is best able to most quickly increase the family’s income by getting SSISupplemental Security Income. The FEP places Jeff in a W-2 TW-2 Transition and encourages Gerri to volunteer for activities and services.

EXAMPLE 4: Jim and Brandy apply for W-2 and meet the definition of a W-2 two-parent household. Brandy has a verified medical condition limiting her hours of employment to two hours per day or less. She currently works 10 hours per week. Jim is currently unemployed and wants to work full-time but has some barriers. The FEP determines that because of Brandy’s medical condition, she is unable to increase her hours or wages. As a result, Jim is the most employable and is best able to increase the family’s income by working full-time. The couple agrees that Jim should try to find a job. The FEP places Jim in a CSJ and encourages Brandy to volunteer for activities and services in addition to her 10 hours working.

Employment Scenario:	The FEP must:
If neither parent is working	Place the parent who is best able to find the highest paying job the quickest
If one parent is working	Place the parent who is best able to increase the family’s income the quickest.
If the parent who is working is unable to increase the family’s income by increasing their work hours or wages	Place the non-working parent.
If one or both parents in a W-2 two-parent household are not able to get and keep employment due to a disability that would qualify for SSISupplemental Security Income, SSDISocial Security Disability Insurance, or other disability benefits	Place the parent who is best able to increase the family’s income the quickest from either employment or qualifying for disability benefits.